It is a big city, and it has been a few years, but my limited experience follows.

On Manhattan go to the Blind Tiger Ale house, or dba, the Gingerman, or Rattle and Hum and the Pony Bar(have not been to the last 2). If you want good beer paired with excellent food the bar side of Gramercy Tavern is a favorite.

There are more breweries in Brooklyn due to zoning and lower rent. Brooklyn Brewing if you have not been, limited hours so check. Spuyten Duyvil is a good beer bar, as is Barcade. Mugs Ale house is near Brooklyn Brewing and has East Coast beers.

All of these will have some Brooklyn, Sixpoint, and Captain Lawrence beers.

There are some German biergartens in Manhattan and the Astoria part of Queens. Even a Czech beer garden, but I have not been.

If you want a touristy place with its own pedestrian beer, McSorleys Old Ale house is a hoot. It has said to be unchanged from the time of Lincoln, and that includes the accumulation of dust.

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After Burp Castle, go to Standings for a good selection of craft pints, but an even better atmosphere for watching a game. Then go further east to the corner and slightly north to Pommes Frites, or a bit further north to Paul's burger joint. Then go back south, east again to Velvet lounge and smoke yerself some cigars.

That was my friday night ritual for a few years, not always the same order of course. Never fails. Also you can go a bit south to the Houston Whole Foods, they have a pretty great beer shop and at least 4 growler taps.

Also great is Blind Tiger, and from there you can walk a "few" blocks over to Spotted Pig, which has an excellent (Sixpoint-made I think?) bitter on hand pump.

Here's another vote for Blind Tiger. Great place, though it can get really crowded.

If your friend goes to Times Square to do touristy stuff and wants to stop somewhere for a drink, Little Town on nearby Restaurant Row is a good place to find local beers. House of Brews and Beer Authority are also in the area. Both have great beer selections, but can be a bit on the pricey side.

Does Times Square still have the Heartland brewery? Those are the most easily-accessible 'microbreweries,' you can find one near all the major touristy areas, South Street seaport, Times Square, Union Square... At least you used to.

Does Times Square still have the Heartland brewery? Those are the most easily-accessible 'microbreweries,' you can find one near all the major touristy areas, South Street seaport, Times Square, Union Square... At least you used to.

It's a fun environment.

Yeah, all those Heartlands are still there, plus they've opened a few more. I think there are 3 in and around Times Square now. Good beer and they support homebrewers by having a contest at their Empire State Bldg. location every year. Good suggestion!

Phil, you beat me to Heartland Brewery if they are down with the more touristy stuff. There are a number of them. Good beer and food.

The Pony bar is good for staying on the cheaper side of places to go in Manhattan. A decent selection and everything they have on tap is $5, which I think is great. It may not be a full pint for some things, but its still cheap.